Book and paper rack.



PATENTED JUNE 27, 1905.

I. FISHER. BOOK AND PAPER RACK.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 28, 1904.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

I I a 1 1222 Wane/Jaw $628 77% w PATENTED JUNE 27, 1905.

I. FISHER. BOOK AND PAPER RACK.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 28, 1904.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

wi/tnwoco UNITED STATES Patented June 2'7, 1905.

PATENT @EETCE.

BOOK AND PAPER RACK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 793,364, dated June 27, 1905. Application filed November 28, 1904. Serial No. 234,583.

To It 1/71/0711, it may concern:

Be it known that I, IRVING Frsuna, of the city and county of New Haven and State of lonnecticut, have invented new and useful Improvemen ts in Book and Paper Backs, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, which form a part thereof, and in which Figure 1 represents a side elevation of a rack embodying my invention, a portion of the rack being shown extended; Fig. 2, a bottom view of the same; Fig. 3, a side view of one of the partitions; Fig. 4, a rear view of the same partition; Fig. 5, a transverse section on lines 5 5 of Fig. 1, showing the end partition and associated parts; Fig. 6, a bottom view of the central partition, and Fig. 7 a front detail view of one of the bars.

In all figures similar letters of reference represent like parts.

This invention relates to racks for books, papers, and similar objects; and it consists of a plurality of upright partitions so related to each other that each may be separated a limited distance from its adjoining partitions without disturbing the relative position of the other partitions. By this means a space may be provided between any desired number of partitions in any part of the rack for the insertion of books and papers without separating the remaining partitions or elongating the rack unnecessarily.

To this end the invention consists of the several improvements and combinations of parts set forth and claimed hereinafter.

Referring to the drawings for a more particular description, the parts designated by the letter A represent the end partitions, B B B &c., the intermediate partitions, and C the middle partition. Each of the end partitions A is mounted on two blocks 1), located at the ends, and is secured thereto by angle-plates IQ or other suitable means. The blocks extend longitudinally with the rack and at right angles to the plane of the partition and have on their inner sides longitudinal tongues F. Each of the intermediate partitions B B B", 8.20., is mounted and secured to two blocks (1?,

extending at right angles to its plane. The l B,

blocks (3r are provided on their outer sides with longitudinal grooves H and on their inner sides with tongues I. The blocks of the lirst intermediate partitions B or partition ad- 'joining the end partitions Aare located such a distance from the ends of the partitions that they will slide between the blocks of the end partitions A, as shown more particularly in Fig. 2, and the tongues F of the blocks of the end partition A will take into the grooves H of the partitions B. Similarly the blocks of the next partitions B are located to slide within the blocks of the partitions B, the tongues I of the blocks of the outer partitions B taking into the grooves H of the blocks of the inner partitions B, and so on, so that each partition has a sliding connection with its adjoining partition or partitions. The middle partition C is shown with only one block N, which has longitudinal grooves Q on its sides. The block N projects between two pairs of blocks 3r of the partitions B" on both sides of the partition 0, and the tongues of the blocks of the partitions B take into the grooves Q on the block N. Each pair of blocks, as D or G, connected to the same partition are joined at the ends toward the middle of the rack by plates K, of metal or other suitable material, and each block G and N is provided on its under side with a depending stud L, located near the opposite end of the block. \Vhen any two partitions are separated, the studs L of the blocks of the partition, as B, nearer the middle of the rack are adapted to come in contact with the plate K of the blocks of the partition, as B, farther from the middle, to limit the sliding movement of the one partition with the other, as shown more particularly in Figs. 1 and 2. In the upper edges of most of the plates K are notches M suiliciently large to allow the passage through them of the depending studs L, and these notches are so arranged in each plate that the studs of the blocks of the partitions not adjoining will be in alincment and may pass through them when the rack is elongated and the partitions separated. For example, the plates K of the end partitions have notches for the studs I; of the blocks t and N of the intermediate partitions B'", B", and B and the middle partition U,

ICQ

but has no notch in alinement with the studs of the blocks G of the partitions B. The middle partition C, as shown more particularly in Fig. 6, is provided with two depending studs 0 near both ends, so that the block N of the middle partition C, with its depending studs, will engage with the plates K of the next adjoining partitions 13* on both sides. The end partitions A are provided on their outer sides with supports P, on the under side of which may be a strip of felt R to prevent marring a table or other article on which the rack may rest. Other pieces of felt S are shown wrapped about the plates K at convenient points for the same purpose. Knobs T are secured by screws V or other suitable means to the outside of the end partitions A for convenience in handling the rack and in drawing the partitions apart.

The operation-of the rack is as follows: When it is desired to insert a book or similar article within the rack, any two adjacent par-- titions may be separated by a slight elongation of the rack. The two partitions may be separated until the studs L of the blocks G or N of one of them will come in contact with the plate K on the blocks of the other partition. If further space is necessary, the rack may be further elongated, so that two other partitions will be separated; but it should be noted that any two may be separated without displacing the relative position of the other partitions, so that a space may be provided for a book or other article in any part of the rack as may be desired. I/Vhen the partitions are drawn apart, the depending lug or lugs of each of the intermediate or middle partitions will engage the plate of the partition next adjoining toward the end, as already pointed out; but the free movement of any partition is not limited by those partitions not adjacent thereto, except through the medium of the partitions between.

The rack may be elongated by separating adjacent partitions in any part'as, for example, the partitions near each endwithout disturbing the middle or central partitions, and when separated the partitions will remain in this position until the rack is further elongated or closed.

Having now described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a rack for books, or similar articles, the combination with a series of bases, each of which has a sliding connection with the next adjoining base; and transverse partitions mounted on said bases so that access is permissible to the spaces between said partitions on three sides, substantially as described.

2. In a rack for books, or similar articles, the combination with a series of bases, each of which has a sliding connection with the next adjoining base, whereby any two adjoining bases may be separated without altering the relative position of the remaining bases; and

transverse partitions mounted on said bases,

substantially as described.

3. In a rack for books, or similar articles, the combination With a support at the ends; a series of bases having a sliding connection with each other whereby any two adjoining bases may be separated without altering the relative position of the remaining bases, the end bases being connected with said supports; and transverse partitions mounted on said bases, substantially as described.

4. In a rack for books, or similar articles, the combination with a series of bases, each of which has a sliding connection with the next adjoining base, whereby any two adjoining bases may be separated Without altering the relative position of the remaining bases; means for limiting the movement of each base by the adjoining base; and transverse partitions mounted on said bases, substantially as described.

5. In a rack for books, or similar articles, the combination witha series of bases, each of which has a sliding connection with the next adjoining base; a device on each base adapted to engage the next adjoining base to limit its movement while permitting free movement of the bases not adjoining; and transverse partitions mounted on said bases, substantially as described.

6. In a rack for books, or similar articles, the combination with a series of bases, each of which has a sliding connection with the next adjoiningbase; a stud on one of each pair of bases, and a plate on the other adapted to be engaged upon the separation of said pair of bases to limit further movement; and transverse partitions mounted on said bases, substantially as described.

7. In a rack for books, or similar articles, the combination with a series of bases formed of a plurality of blocks, the blocks of one of each pair of bases fitting between and having a sliding connection with the blocks of the other base; and transverse partitions mounted on said blocks, substantially as described.

8. In a rack for books, or similar articles, the combination with a series of bases formed of a plurality of blocks, the blocks of one of each pair of bases fitting between and having a sliding connection with the blocksof the other base; a stud on a block of one of each pair of bases, and a plate on the other base adapted to be engaged upon the separation of said bases to limit the further movement; and transverse partitions mounted on said bases, substantially as described.

9. In a rack for books, or similar articles, the combination With a base formed of a plurality of blocks; a second base formed of a single block adapted to fit between the blocks of the other base, and haveasliding connection therewith; and transverse partitions mounted on said bases, substantially as described.

IIO

10. In a rack for books, or similar articles, 5 partitionsmounted on said bases, substantially I the combination with abase formed of a pluralas described. ity of blocks; a second base having a block or l In witness whereof I have hereunto set my blocks adapted to fit Within andhave a sliding 1 hand on the 25th day of November, 1904. connection with the blocks of the other hase IRVING FISHER. and pro\ lded with a stud, a plate oining the l blocks of the other base adapted to engage l \Vitnesses: said stud upon the separation of said bases to l Umwmm l. SIODDARI), limit the further movement; and transverse l SAMUEL H. Flsnwn. 

